This page will be used to let you know what work has to be done.


Monday 8th December

This is the last session we will get to work on this wiki. During this final session I want you to visit each Private Page and using the Discussion section make a positive comment about that person. No negatives and no backhanded compliments will be accepted!

Monday 1st December

Some of you were not able to complete the voki task from last Thursday, or were absent when I set the task. Today I will give you a few minutes to complete this task. We usually add new comments to the bottom of our pages, but in this case, I suggest that you save your voki at the top of you Private Page.

You will also note that in the Menu I have created a Voki Page for you to include any other vokis you may want to create commenting on aspects of ME & MY WORLD. Inappropriate or irrelevant vokis will be deleted (and I will be disappointed that you have betrayed my trust)

As a final exercise in collaboration and co-operation I have created a page called Final Breakup for us to organise our "Social Function" to celebrate the end of the year. Please contribute your ideas to this page and volunteer to supply some of our needs to make this activity a huge success.

Thursday 27th November

Although we do not have access to computers today, I am going to show you how to create and add a "voki" to your Private Page. For homework, I want you to create your own voki. (Below is a sample. I know you can do much better!)



www.voki.com

Use the following stems to record your own voki message:
My name is ......
My dream is to ......
To achieve this I need to......


Tuesday 18th November

Few of us managed to visit the Bureau of Meteorology web site - http://www.bom.gov.au/. I would also like you to visit the Melbourne Water site www.melbournewater.com.au

Explore these interesting site to see:
  • if the radar images show rain
  • recent rainfall figures and paterns
  • water storage levels in our dams
  • climate change data as graphs and maps

In your workbooks I would like you to complete the following tasks:
1. Write a sentence summarising the Latest Media Release by the Weather Bureau.
2. Write a brief explanation of the headline "Govenor Philip Cops An El Nino".
3. Indigenous Australians observed the weather. How many seasons existed in the Walabunnba Calendar?
4. Why is 2008 special for the Weather Bureau?
5. Make a note of where significant rain is currently falling in Australia.
6. How are Hydrology Services different from the Ocean Services offered by the Weather Bureau?
7. What are the current dam storage levels for Melbourne?
8. What advice is Melbourne Water currently giving to encourage people to save water?
9. What is another name for the North-South Pipeline project?
10. List down three important facts/information you have learned by visiting the Melbourne Water web site?


Thursday 6th November

A surprise bonus. A double session in a computer room which should enable you to do some extensive research on your group's project. You will summarise your findings and publish these under the appropriate heading on the Geography page.

All groups should address the following questions:
Why?
What?
How?
Who?
Where?
When?
Your task is to inform. To let everyone else know the key facts and to highlight costs and benefits (winners and losers) of the option being researched.

I will consult each group (maximum of three) to make the topics and process clearer.

Good luck!

Wednesday 5th November

Today we will continue our Geography theme based around "Melbourne's Water Crisis" by looking at possible options for you to participate in and "make a difference" at your own house.
Step1. Take a Virtual Tour of a Home which gives you practical hints on how to save water in your own house - www.sydneywater.com.au/SavingWater/InYourHome/interactiveHouse/
In your workbook I want you to take note of the common water usage volumes or percentages during the tour. You should also make a list of water saving ideas or suggestions.

Step 2. Saving Water in the Home - http://www.savewater.com.au/how-to-save-water/in-the-home
In your workbook I want you to make a list of tips and include any relevant facts which you find important to share with the class eg how much water is used and what sort of savings are possible.

If you have finished the above tasks visit the Bureau of Meteorology web site - http://www.bom.gov.au/
Explore this interesting site to see:
  • if the radar images show rain
  • recent rainfall figures and paterns
  • water storage levels in our dams
  • climate change data as graphs and maps
  • etc

Monday 27th October

Time to reflect!! Let's look back at the work we have done in recent weeks and think about what we have learnt.

On your Private Page I want you to comment on the following:
a. Are you on-track to achieving your Semester 2 goals in this subject? (Comment on each of your goals giving reasons)
b. What do you believe have been the three most important things you have learnt?
c. Select a lesson which you thought was the best and explain why you believe it was the best.
d. How much Homework have you completed?
e. In what ways do you always "do your best" in this subject?
f. Do you have "high expectations" in this subject? Explain or justify your answer
g. What extra help do you need from your teacher to help you learn and to improve your skills?
h. Are you happy with your progress and achievement in this subject?
i. How many times have you been recognised on the "Hall of Fame" wiki page and how do you feel about this?
j. My teacher always ....... (complete this statement by writing a brief paragraph)

There are SIX new Discussion Topics on My Say, Your Say which I would like you to respond to with some thought. Put care into your punctuation and grammar as "the world at large" can read your responses. I also expect more than a single sentence response!


Wednesday 22nd October

Today our focus is on personal finances and money management. This will involve working through a simulation over a year in which you have just started your first job and moved out of home. You willbe required to respond to everyday situations and to manage your money to achieve your goals.

Go to: Rewards --> "moneyville" Class Challenge #6 --> Get Real

Good luck and make wise decisions!!


Tuesday 21st October

1. My Say, Your Say --> add a comment to the Money, Money, Money!!! posting
2. Rewards-->Lemonade Stand challenge. All members of the class are to run their lemonade selling business for 5 days at each of the three levels.
  • The combined profit for each of the levels will be used to determine the winner.
  • When you finish a level you must show your score to your teacher to verify the result.
  • You may repeat any level (if you have time) to improve your profit. ie your best result for each level of difficulty will be scored

Good luck and put some thought, care and effort into making some wise business decisions rather than just guessing!

Monday 13th October

Our aim today is to "smash" our previous FreeRice contribution to poverty and then try and provide some clean water to these communities.

Wednesday 8th October

Yesterday's web sites involved a lot of scanning for information to answer the 10 Questions. Many of you need extra time to complete these tasks.

When you are finished we are going to do something different. Select Economics from the Menu and then Poverty. As a class we are going to try and make a difference... take some time to help others while we learn! As a class, we are going to establish a class record for "Free Rice" and then try and beat it at a later date. Listen carefully to my instructions and make sure that you start at a low level as the tasks become more difficult as you progress!! Good luck.

Tuesday 7th October

Last week in my absence some members of the class let themselves down by not doing (or even attempting) the set work. I do not expect that to happen again!
Part A:
Today I want you to visit as many of the following web sites as you can and try to answer the questions below in your workbooks (not the wiki!)
http://yesboleh.blogspot.com/2008/04/hyperinflation-in-zimbabwe.html
http://misbah.org/2008/07/31/zimbabwes-hyperinflation-solution-slash-zeros/
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/zimbabwe-hyperinflation.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperinflation_in_Zimbabwe
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4665854.stm

Q1 Where actually is Zimbabwe? - (You may have to use other resources than these links to answer this question)
Q2 What does the term "inflation" mean?
Q3 How is "hyperinflation" different from "inflation"?
Q4 What was the cause of hyperinflation in Zimbabwe?
Q5 What is the most recent rate of hyperinflation in Zimbabwe?
Q6 When did hyperinflation start to occur in Zimbabwe?
Q7 What other countries have experienced hyperinflation?
Q8 How much can you buy with the new $100,000,000,000 notes recently printed?
Q9 In July 2008 what did the Government do to try and stop this hyperinflation?
Q10 In August 2008 how bad is the level of hyperinflation in Zimbabwe?

Part B: (To be finished for Homework if not completed in class today!!!)
2. Last Term (Tue 9th Sept) everyone had to suggest two different ways of getting value for money spent (how to stretch your dollar further). Some of you need to still complete this task. I also note some poor spelling and incorrect punctuation which needs fixing.

Tuesday 9th September

I am not feeling too well as I have the flu but because of my desire to maintain "high expectations" I have left some tasks for you to complete in my absence.
During the earlier class I left some tasks to make you think about economic choices. Please finish them for homework if you did not manage to complete them during the last class. No excuses!!

During this class I want you to do the following:
a. Go to the My Say, Your Say page and write approximately a 50 word comment in response to my If Money Grew on Trees post;
b. Go to the Economics page --> 50 Ways to Stretch Your Dollar Further and add TWO suggestions (must be different from everyone else)
c. Contribute to the Class Challenges (the Government one is almost complete! Only a couple more bright ideas are required and then a new reward will be earned)

Tuesday 26th August

Visit the following web site and complete the tasks below in your workbooks: www.legalaid.vic.gov.au
1. Who would use this site? Why?
2. What evidence can you find to show that this site aims to appeal to a wide section of the community?
3. Summarise two new laws which now apply
4. What advice can you find in the web site to inform someone who is unsure if they need a lawyer for their appearance in Court ?
5. Type youth legal issues in the Search feature on the web site. Use the "Am I Old Enough?" online resource to check your own answers to the quiz you completed for homework.

Monday 18th August

I am expected to complete your Interim Reports this week. It is therefore timely that I get you to review your own progress and achievements in this subject during Term 3. Copy the following questions and stem phrases onto your Private Page and answer or complete them:

How effectively have you used class time?
How often have you completed homework tasks?
What outstanding work do you still have?
In which area do you believe you have made your greatest improvement?
What are two weaknesses you need to continue to work on?

I have most enjoyed
I have learned that
I have shown high expectations when I
I have demonstrated the following skills and abilities which will help me to succeed at Year 10 next year:
Students in 9P2 never
Students in 9P2 always
Student Support sessions are


Respond to the following and how you might apply the idea to your own studies:
Q How do you eat an elephant?
A One bite at a time!

Having finished the above reflections ensure that you have completed the "You be the Judge" case studies that I asked you to complete last Wednesday.
All done? Fantastic!!!!
Take time to tidy up your Private Page. Some students have completed tasks on this page which should be copied to other pages.


Wednesday 13th August

  • complete all incomplete tasks from yesterday
  • Write a descriptive account (about half a page) of what Melbourne might be like if there were no police (eg all Police decide to go on strike)
  • Go to Legal Matters and write answers to the case studies in "You be the Judge"

Tuesday 12th August

I want you to think carefully before you write your comments today in the My Say - Your Say discussion forum.

There are four separate tasks which should be done in the following order:
1. Police (commenting on reasons why so many teenagers have negative feelings towards the police)
2. Lifting the Profile (suggest what the Victorian Police need to do to improve their relationships with teenagers)
3. Pointing out the Positives (give a summary of real life situations where the police have done their job well)
4. Criminals (write you own definition of what a criminal is based on our 20 point survey completed in class)

Wednesday 30th July

Today's tasks:
  • Read the comments made by class mates for each of the following items - You, The Rule Maker, School Rules, RDSC with No School Rules
  • Summarise the comments for each of these areas into a paragraph (three paragraphs; one for each topic)
  • Legal Matters - complete the 5 case studies (refer below to the instructions from Monday 21st July)

Monday 21st July

One aspect of being a good citizen is that you follow the "laws of the land".
Use the website __**www.lawstuff.org.au**__ to help you provide advice or answers to the five problems which can be found on the Legal Matters page.
Write paragraph answers which clearly explain the legal issues involved.

Wednesday 16th July

Today we have two key tasks to complete:
1. Go to the Quotes page and select one quotation which appeals to you. Copy it into Your Page and explain why it is relevant to your learning and studies during Semester 2.
2. Go to the My Say, Your Say page and add your comments to the new discussion topics.

Remember, I expect quality (well thought out) responses to these tasks. It is not good enough to just write anything!!

If you complete both of these tasks you can work on your "Aboriginal Success Story" task (see Friday 27th June below) which must be completed and submitted by this Friday 23rd July

Friday 27th June

Many indigenous Australians have excelled in a wide range of areas. Your task is to research an aboriginal "success story" and present a visual presentation (either animated gif, Photostory, PowerPoint) clearly indicated their achievements. Areas of high achievement include sport, arts, film, music, politics etc (Please try not to research a current AFL footballer. You can however look at past AFL Champions.)
  • It is expected that you do research and plan your presentation before you start constructing your final presentation. Your plan will be an important component of your assessment and must be submitted or your project will not be marked. Use the storyboard for your planning.
  • Depth of content and effective presentation will also be assessed.
  • Needless to say, I expect you to "do your best" and I will be disappointed if you do not put considerable effort into your research, planning and final presentation.
Note: Each member of the class must choose a unique person as no one can double-up.

Monday 23rd June

Today is the 14th and last scheduled class in a computer room for the semester. Make the most of it!!
Start by copying the following stems into your private page and then complete the comment or sentence.

During the Aboriginal unit I most enjoyed our SOSE class on
During the Aboriginal unit I least enjoyed the SOSE class on
SOSE (Me and My World) is
During this first semester in SOSE I have
I work best when
I have not
I wish that
My attitude to homework has been
My Semester 1 report will show that
The area/s in which I have shown greatest improvement
My teacher always
My teacher makes me
I think that our class wiki is
High Expectations means
I have shown high expectations when I
A second example of how I have demonstrated high expectations is

Three of my goals for Semester Two in this subject are:

1.
2.
3.
I have set these goals because

If you have completed the above task take the time now to complete any of the unfinished tasks from Thursday 12th June.

Thursday 12th June

Members of this class have completed several pieces of work which have not been published on our class wiki. Your task today is to upload this completed work, including the following:
Kulin - life and culture in 5 dot points
Rabbit Proof Fence - 3 things which "touched your heart" or were significant to you
Aboriginal Quiz - some wrong answers need fixing and some tasks remain unanswered
Day of Mourning - your paragraphs on the significance of this day

Follow the "Aboriginals" link then copy and paste your work onto the appropriate page.

Go to the "My Say, Your Say" page and add your comment to the Reconciliation post and the High Expectations post. I am looking for thoughtful answers which are well written and clearly explain your point of view!

Finished all of the above? Fantastic!! Take a closer look at the PowerPoint presentations created by members of the class.

Monday 26th May

Last week we explored the importance of "high expectations".

One key idea was the need to complete/finish outstanding class tasks. Therefore, today, I am giving you some opportunity to catch-up and complete some outstanding work. Use the following points as a guide:

1. Type up your three paragraphs on the Rabbit Proof Fence and add these to this wiki
2. Add your summarised "five dot points" from the Eastern Kulin to the wiki
3. Finish your reflection task from Monday 11th May by completing ALL the sentences.
4. Add some answers to the Aboriginal Class Challenge (Task5)


Monday 11th May

Our next major unit of work is "Aboriginal Studies" which we started late last week. During this unit we will use the wiki much more in class and (hopefully) at home.

There is a new class challenge to be completed out of class time. It will take more than three or more students to complete so I am expecting a 'big effort' from you all to complete this challenge during the next three or four weeks.

Today's tasks:
  • Firstly, I want you to look back at the progress and work output you have made during the past few weeks (since the start of Term 2). Copy the following into your Private Page and complete the sentences as they apply to you,
During the past few weeks:
I have learnt about
I most enjoyed the SOSE class on
My attitude has
My behaviour has
My interim report in the subject indicated that I
I have worked
I have not
My greatest strength is
The two areas of my learning that I want to focus on improving are:
1.
2.
I am happy with

  • Using MY COMPUTER, navigate to Drive Z: and access the Kulin folder. As a class we are going to summarise all major sections of this site. Read the section/s as allocated by your teacher and summarise them into between five and 10 major points. Save this summary into a new page on the wiki. Use the letter 'A' followed by your initials to name the new page for identification purposes eg AER.
Remember: "Many hands make light work"

If everyone does their allocated tasks we will finish this task quickly and efficiently!! Don't you be the one that lets the class down and stops us from achieving our goal!!

Thursday 1st May

During our double session in the Library today, your group needs to complete their Photostory reports based on the fieldwork and research completed during the Tall Ships Excursion on 22nd April.

Requirements:
  • Minimum of 10 photos (15 photos for groups of 3 students)
  • Based on one of the four agreed themes (refer Tall Ships Excursion link in Menu if unsure)
  • Narrated presentation (write your script before starting your recording)
  • Background music
  • Use your storyboards to plan your presentation
No more class time will be given. Groups who do not finish this task in the set time will be expected to complete their reports at recess/lunchtime or afterschool!

Monday 14th April

Great things can be achieved when everyone works together. You scored 20/20 on the last Class Challenge (N0 3) and have earned a reward. Good luck with this map puzzle. The person with the best score in the fastest time will be added to the Hall of Fame.

I also want you to go to your private page and do the following:
a. Revisit your Semester 1 goals. You may wish to change them slightly or add additional points.
b. Then tell me about the best piece of work you have completed in this subject this year. Explain, in your opinion, why this piece of work was better than the rest.

If you have done all of the above, use the Internet to find out five important facts about the early history and settlement of Williamstown (suburb of Melbourne) which you can share with the class by posting this information in the My Say, Your Say discussion comment on this topic.

Tuesday 8th April

I was disappointed that the class did not make an effort to achieve the Wiki Scavenger Hunt challenge during the holidays.

Today, I am giving you a second chance to complete the task and gain the reward for successfully meeting the challenge. Tomorrow morning I will check your answers and no further answers will be possible.

Good luck

Monday 17th March

To produce "good work" you have to first understand what "good work" looks like.

I have produced an assessment table which I want you to use to assess the work of four other students in the class. Go to European Settlement --> Dumping Ground Theory --> any four of the individual projects. Use the marking system (criteria) I have provided to assess each project. You must be able to justify your scores!!!

When finished, form groups of three and attack the Class Challenge which has only 35% of the answers completed.

Thursday 13th March

The task today is to find out as much information as you possibly can on the First Fleet. You will be required to write down in your books 5 things you found interesting or important. You will be required to share the points you have made.

Key points you might look for include:
The number of prisoners sent on the First Fleet?
How many non-prisoners eg guards?
How many ships?
What did they eat?
What supplies did they take to start a new settlement?

I have set the class a new Class Challenge which I want you all to attempt (and complete) before the start of Term 2. Good luck!

Friday 7th March

1. The Page European Settlement-->Shipbuilding Supplies needs some pictures and approximately 20 words to explain the purpose/use of each of the four raw materials listed. See what you can contribute.
2. You need to upload your research task you completed in pairs on the Dumping Ground theory (no more class time is available)
3. You may type out your essay for submission

Wednesday 27th Feb

Today is a bonus as we have access to computers two sessions in a row. Do not waste this opportunity!!

I expect everyone to be (only) working on the following two tasks today:
1. Your European Settlement task.
2. Copy the following Questions onto your own private page and add answers:
  • What have you learnt in the past month?
  • What did you do to help yourself learn?
  • What did you do that made it difficult for you to learn well?
  • Who did you work with? Were these effective (good) working relationships?
  • How did you go with meeting your goals for the semester?

Tuesday 26th Feb

Lots of outstanding tasks MUST be completed today or these tasks will need to be completed during the Student Support Session this Thursday night after school.

1. European Settlement Projects
2. 3 goals in this subject for the semester and 5 strategies you will use to achieve these goals
3. My Say, Your Say - go to the Discussion tab and make your contribution to the Prime Minister's "Sorry" statement task
4. Captain Cook sheet
5. Venn Diagram Task comparing life and living conditions in the 18th Century with the 21st Century
6. Class Challenge Trivia Quiz which has a deadline by this Friday if the class wants to achieve an Award.

Monday 18th Feb

I asked all members of the class to pay attention to what has been said or reported about the significant event last week when the Prime Minister said "Sorry".
Go to the My Say, Your Say page and use the Discussion tab to comment on what you understand has happened and whether you think it is important.

The first Class Challenge has not yet been achieved! Have you done your bit?

Thursday 7th Feb

Welcome to the rdsc2008 wikispace.
Today I want you to make contributions to the postings on the My Say, Your Say discussions.
Remember:
  • this is not a chat room,
  • once you add your comments they cannot be changed
  • type your contribution/s in Word and use Spellcheck before posting them on the wiki
There are four discussion topics for you to comment on. In particular, I want you to think about some class rules which all members of the class need to follow when adding to this wikispace.

Take a look at the first Class Challenge.